February 2012

2

Kuwait: In parliamentary elections, the opposition parties win 34 of the 50 seats. Turnout is about 60%. On February 5, Prime Minister Sheikh Jabir Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah resigns; on February 6 he is asked to form a new cabinet. On February 14, the new cabinet is announced with Sheikh Ahmad Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah as defense minister, other key ministries remaining unchanged.Russia: Sergey Bozhenov is confirmed by the local Duma (31-0) and sworn in as head of administration of Volgograd oblast.

3

Russia: Igor Orlov is confirmed by the local Assembly (54-2) and sworn in as governor of Arkhangelsk oblast.

Erjavec

Slovenia: Prime Minister-elect Janez Jansa announces his cabinet with Karl Erjavec as foreign minister, Ales Hojs as defense minister, Janez Sustersic as finance minister, and Vinko Gorenak as interior minister. On February 10 the cabinet is confirmed by parliament (50-10) and sworn in.

5

China: Lu Xinshe is elected governor of Jiangxi.Finland: In the presidential runoff, Sauli Niinistö wins 62.6% of the vote and Pekka Haavisto 37.4%. Turnout is 66%.Mauritius: In parliamentary elections in Rodrigues, the Rodrigues People's Organization wins 11 of 21 seats, the Rodrigues Movement 8, and the Rodrigues Patriotic Front 2. Turnout is 81.2%. On February 11 Serge Clair is sworn in as chief commissioner.

6

Nigeria: Former foreign minister (1993) Matthew Mbu dies.Romania: Prime Minister Emil Boc resigns. President Traian Basescu appoints Justice Minister Catalin Predoiu as interim prime minister, then nominates Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu as new prime minister. On February 8 Ungureanu names his cabinet with Bogdan Dragoi as finance minister and Gabriel Berca as interior minister, Foreign Minister Cristian Diaconescu and Defense Minister Gabriel Oprea to remain in place. On February 9 the parliament endorses the new government (237-2) and it is sworn in.

Chen

Taiwan: Premier Sean Chen and his cabinet are sworn in.

7

Maldives: President Mohamed Nasheed resigns. Vice President Mohamed Waheed Hassan is sworn in as president; on February 8 he appoints Mohamed Nazim as defense minister and Mohamed Jameel Ahmed as home affairs minister and on February 15 he nominates Mohamed Waheed Deen as new vice president.Russia: President Dmitry Medvedev nominates Sergey Zhvachkin as governor of Tomsk oblast. On February 15 he is confirmed by the local Duma (32-7). He is to take office March 17.

8

Burundi: Tabu Abdallah Manirakiza is named finance minister.Ecuador: Former foreign minister (1966, 1976-77) Jorge Salvador Lara dies.Indonesia: Tarmizi Abdul Karim is sworn in as acting governor of Aceh as Governor Irwandi Yusuf's term ends.Ukraine: President Viktor Yanukovych relieves Mykhailo Yezhel from his duties as defense minister and appoints Dmytro Salamatin in his place.

Soalaoi

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Bosnia and Herzegovina: Prime Minister Vjekoslav Bevanda's government is confirmed in parliament (26-7). It includes Zlatko Lagumdzija as foreign minister, Muhamed Ibrahimovic as defense minister, and Nikola Spiric as finance minister.

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Haiti: Prime Minister Garry Conille resigns.Nigeria: The Supreme Court sacks the governor of Kebbi, Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari. The speaker of the state's House of Assembly, Aminu Musa Habib Jega, is sworn in as acting governor.

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Nigeria: In gubernatorial elections in Cross River, Liyel Imoke (People's Democratic Party) wins 92.1% of the vote and Usani Usani (Action Congress of Nigeria) 6.3%. Turnout is 40.1%. Imoke is sworn in on February 28.Russia: President Dmitry Medvedev nominates incumbent Sholban Kara-ool as chairman of the government of Tuva.

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Senegal: In presidential elections, incumbent Abdoulaye Wade wins 34.8% of the vote, Macky Sall 26.6%, and Moustapha Niasse 13.2%. Turnout is 51.6%. A runoff is to be held by March 25.Switzerland: Former president of the Council of State of Fribourg (1982, 1989) Hans Bächler dies.